We don’t always know the difference we’ve made

For nearly 13 years, Dal has dedicated himself to teaching Special Religious Education (SRE) in a coastal community on the NSW south coast, guiding students from diverse backgrounds. His passion lies in providing a safe space for young minds to explore questions about God, faith, and life.

Dal emphasises the unique opportunity SRE offers for deep discussions on Christianity and scripture. He believes these classes play a crucial role in shaping young people’s faith and values during their formative years.

Recognising the importance of continuity in spiritual growth, Dal stresses the need for collaboration between SRE providers, churches, and youth groups. Without such connections, he fears young people may struggle to nurture and develop their faith beyond the classroom.

Witnessing former students mature and engage with their faith in various ways brings Dal immense joy. He highlights the impact of long-term community involvement, as former students often reconnect to share their life journeys.

“Lachlan was a cool kid who used to sit at the back of my SRE class. He was generally quiet, not wanting to look like he was too interested,” Dal shares.

“The other day I was out for a surf and as I paddled out, I saw Lachlan with some mates. It had been a few years since I had seen him, so I said g’day as I paddled. I was a little shocked when he paddled over and shared with me his testimony. He said he had been looking for me and wanted to let me know that he had become a Christian, was attending church and was even considering full-time ministry. He thanked me for being a significant part of his journey as I had taught SRE and shared my faith. It was such an encouragement to hear and a privilege to be a part of his faith journey.”